GALAPAGOS - DARWIN'S ENCHANTED ISLANDS
A cultural tour of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador

Wild places like the Galapagos with its precious diversity of life are among the world’s greatest treasures. A place of true scientific wonder, the Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and have been central to the study of biological adaptation since Charles Darwin visited in 1835. Our tour of this archipelago is one of discovery, education, and beauty. In addition to pristine beaches and crystal clear blue/green waters, there are a unique variety of fearless animals and an abundance of distinct plant life on these islands. Declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, this unspoiled paradise is just waiting to be explored.

Day 1: Wednesday: Arrive Quito
Bienvenidos a Ecuador! We arrive in Quito and are warmly welcomed to this unique South American country. An interesting drive through the capital city takes us to our hotel.
Overnight: Dan Carlton Hotel, Quito (2 nights)

Day 2: Thursday: Quito
Colonial City Tour of Quito and Middle of the World Monument
Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, is located in a plateau, at 2,800 meters above sea level. The many colonial churches show a mixture of styles and beauty in their architecture (baroque, Spanish, Flemish, Moorish, and pre-Columbian), plazas, and historical buildings have helped our city to be declared a cultural heritage sight by UNESCO. Hand in hand with the colonial beauty of Quito is a blooming commercial and modern city; with a fine selection of 5 star hotels, convention centers, museums, and good restaurants. Quito has, since its foundation, been known as a “city of culture”. Local music at dinner and folkloric ballet shows. Sculptures and paintings that combine pre Inca, Inca and colonial art expressions decorate many buildings. 30 minutes north of Quito lies a “must see” for any visitor: the Equatorial Monument —”La Mitad del Mundo”—, situated right on the Equator line. (B)

Day 3: Friday: Quito/Guayaquil/Baltra (Flight)
Fly to the Galapagos, arriving on Baltra, we board the Catamaran cruise and settle into our cabins. Our seagoing home is the M/C Anahi, which has comfortable cabins feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms and a small sitting area. Experienced naturalists lead shore expeditions to seek out wildlife and help you to learn about the fascinating natural history of these volcanic islands. After lunch, we head out to visit Plaza Island. These are two small islets that were uplifted a short distance from the East Coast of Santa Cruz. The unusual vegetation and location of the island create an interesting landscape in which the fauna and flora of Galápagos are enhanced. Moreover despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the archipelago occur here. It is possible to guarantee the observation of land iguanas that often are in the shade of a cactus. Nesting on the rugged southern cliffs, are usually swallow –tailed gulls, which seen along with various other sea birds. The protected rocky seashore is a prime habitat for a large colony of noisy sea lions. The principal attraction of Plazas is the land iguanas, the sea lions and the swallow – tailed gulls. Also we can see yellow – tailed mullets, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans gliding past the cliff.
Overnight: M/C Anahi – Standard Cabin (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 4: Saturday: Cruise
This morning we visit the interpretation centre, which was built with the cooperation of the Spanish Science Centre. It gives a very good introduction to the Galapagos islands, its marine and land life, fauna and flora. It is located in the outskirts of the small city of Pto. Baquerizo Moreno, which is the capital of the Galapagos Province. The trip to the Hill takes approximately 20-40 minutes. Once there, visitors are treated to a spectacular view of the white beaches on one side and the roofs of Puerto Baquerizo on the other. The hill is often visited by Frigate birds, giving it its name. Here it is possible to see Magnificent Frigate birds and Great Frigate birds in the same colony. This is the perfect place to compare and learn to distinguish them. This site offers some safe snorkeling without strong currents. It is great for beginners. You can find stingrays, barber fish and butterfly fish. In the afternoon we will be visiting Isla Lobos. This small islet, located only an hour by boat from Pto. Baquerizo Moreno is separated from the main Island by a narrow strecht of calm water. Upon its rocky shores blue-footed boobies nest and sea lions rest. The atmosphere is one of tranquility and primitive beauty. This shows a very typical Galapagos environment. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Sunday: Cruise
This morning we visit Española island, which is located on the northeastern coast of Hood, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming and an opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks on the crystalline waters of the ocean. In the afternoon then we visit Punta Suarez, the other side of Española island. This rocky point of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galápagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Monday: Cruise
We will be exploring Floreana Island this morning. This site offers one of the largest and the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. It is situated between two tuff cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to be seen besides flamingoes, the most frequent are common stilts, white-cheeked pintail ducks and other migratory species. This is a unique zone due to the high percentage of endemism in the plant life. The island is also the home of the two very distinct beaches: the “Green Beach”, which is due to the high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand and the “Flour Sand Beach” made up of coral. The afternoon visit will be of Post Office Bay. Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Tuesday: Baltra/Guayaquil/Quito (Flight)
Disembark this morning. Before transfer to the airport for the flight back to Quito a stop will also be made at the Charles Darwin Station. Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. One of the principal attractions are National Park information center, Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises, Lonesome George (tortoise from Pinta), adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. Our wonderful experience of this marvel of the world ends with a return flight back to Quito.
Overnight: Dan Carlton Hotel, Quito (2 nights) (B)

Day 8: Wednesday: Quito
Full day visit of the Otavalo and handicraft market
Departure from Quito through The Panemericana North Highway. Brief stop at Calderon, a town where the famous masapan dolls are made, then continue passing through Guayllabamba town with its typical fruit cherimoyer, we will stop at the highway that conduces to Cayambe to admire and take pictures of the beautiful landscape and snow caped mountains of the zone, crossing the equatorial line at Cayambe we will pass by Guachala (used to be the middle of the world monument), before we head up to Otavalo we will make a stop at Mira Lago to take pictures of the beautiful San Pablo Lake. The tour then continues to Otavalo here the Otavaleños (natives) set up a market, which hosts a variety of different handicraft items. (B)

Day 9: Thursday: Depart Quito
Today we bid farewell to Ecuador and “The Enchanted Islands” leaving with unforgettable memories of our exploration. We are transferred to the airport for our departure flight back home. (B)

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Every Wednesday

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels/cruise as mentioned (or similar) International airfares & departure taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) Galapagos National Park Fee US $ 100 pp to be paid locally based on current rate (subject to change) All sightseeing and transfers Travel Insurances / Visa Fees Entrance fees Drinks / Beverages Services of local English speaking guide in Quito and a naturalist while on the cruise Tips / Gratuities   Domestic air from US $ 495.00 pp (subject to change)

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy High Season Surcharge 2008 US $ 3400 • CA $ 3400 N/A

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1400 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1200 USA - East Coast US $ 1000

Participants

This tour operates on a maximum of 16 participants.

Notes

The order of the cruise excursions are subject to change depending on local weather conditions and/or conservation rules followed by the National Park.

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.